05/20/2025
This graphic and explanation from Colorado Search and Rescue Association - CSAR helps you properly choose "The Ten Essentials" for hiking and other outdoor recreation:
"Everyone talks about the ten essentials, but be smart about it. For a short, familiar trail run in good weather you will likely decide not to carry all of these. More importantly, you might need more than ten essentials for some outings. Think about the sport-specific 'just in case' gear you might need, like a spare tube and pump if you're mountain biking."
The graphic shows the typical Ten Essentials: sun protection, nutrition, first aid, navigation tools, water, emergency shelter, fire, illumination, insulation, tools.
Depending on where in Colorado you are, hiking, mountain biking and climbing season is either well upon us or approaching very soon. Let's review some basics. Do you know what the 3 Ts are?
๐Trip planning - Tell a responsible person back home where you're going, what your plan is, and when you expect to be back. They can call 911 if you're significantly overdue.
๐Training - Do you have the physical endurance and the technical skills for the adventure you're planning?
๐Taking the essentials - Everyone talks about the ten essentials, but be smart about it. For a short, familiar trail run in good weather you will likely decide not to carry all of these. More importantly, you might need more than ten essentials for some outings. Think about the sport-specific "just in case" gear you might need, like a spare tube and pump if you're mountain biking.